About Me

I am a Christian, wife of 28 years to an amazing man, and mom to identical triplet girls in college. I came to know Christ through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), and it is a ministry near and dear to my heart. I was in leadership at BSF for 14 years as a Substitute Teaching Leader, Group Leader, Children's Leader, and Class Secretary. I am also a certified childbirth educator and infant massage instructor. Besides having a passion for the Lord and sharing Him with others, I am also passionate for art, and I love to help and share with other paper crafters and artists. I enjoy doing layouts of all sizes, art journaling, cards, mixed media, ATCs, altered art, etc. I love it all!

In accordance with FTC16CFR, Part 255, I declare that I currently receive or have received free products or am paid a fee to promote and endorse for free from the following companies: Canvas Corp Brands, Memory Box Co., Blue Fern Studios, Our Daily Bread Designs, Spellbinders Paper Arts, Stampin' Things, and Scrapbook.com. These companies generously supply me with complimentary products and/or a paid fee for promotional purposes. My enthusiasm in promoting their products does not stem from the fact that I am compensated by them, but because I truly love their products and feel their product lines and services to be superior in this industry.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

I had trouble picking our word this week. I was behind, I felt rushed, and just didn’t know where to go. Well, I settled on the word “light.” Then as I began to study light, I got sidetracked (as I often do). I have been contemplating a study for next year, and so I started shopping online for commentaries. Well, I found one I think I would love to have, and as I was looking at the online sample pages, guess what appears? A commentary on light! Hmmm, I guess maybe God was confirming my word I pulled out of the hat for this week. Just love it!

Anyway, something interesting this commentary said is that when God created light, He said, “God saw that the light was good.” However, if you read Genesis 1:3-5, God separates the light from the dark but He never says that the dark was good. I find that very interesting. And if you continue to read in Genesis 1, you will see that God continues to say “God saw that it was good,” as He continues to create everything in, around, and on this earth. This was just a very thought provoking comment to me.

Also, if you read about Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27:45, you see complete darkness came over the land for 3 hours. It was dark because the Light of the World was burying the sin of the world. Darkness came to separate God the Father from God the Son. God could not look at Jesus during that time when He was carrying our sin. Darkness covered Him; there was no light.

As Christians, we are to be light in our dark world today. People around you—neighbors, mothers, fathers, teachers, etc.—need the Lord. They need to see the light. There are simple ways to do this. Share how He has helped you in a difficult circumstance or comforted you in a loss. Take a meal to a new neighbor or family that is welcoming a new baby. Recommend a book that you found helpful. Purchase a Bible for someone and share with them. Offer to carpool children to and from school or after school activities. You will be an influence on those children in your car. Listen to the local Christian radio station even when you have non-believers in your car. There are many ways to share the light of Christ to those around you.

There is a devotional in my Bible that I wanted to share it with you. There is not an author’s name associated with the devotion so I am unable to give credit where credit is due. I hope you enjoy this devotion on light.

Label Your Light (Passage Luke 8:16-18)You face a choice in life: You can either eliminate the truth or illuminate it. If you want to light the way to Jesus for others, you can begin by evaluating the light you shine. What kind of light are you?

Are you a candle? Do you light the room about you, but are you vulnerable to other influences that might snuff out your flame?

Are you a floodlight? Do you shine so strongly in people’s eyes that they are blinded rather than enable to see?

Are you a flashlight? Do you click on only in emergencies?

Are you a chandelier? Do you shine with beauty and make those around you look better?

What kind of light are you and how can you shine for Jesus more effectively in your world?

Such a great devotion. I pray that you will think about it this week. For my card, I used the fun October kit from Create My Keepsake. Oh goodness, is this kit awesome. Full of gorgeous papers and embellies! And Lisa even included some of the 7Gypsies ATC cards! Thanks Lisa! I chose two scriptures this week. I used one on the front of my card and one on the back. They are:

Isaiah 2:5". . . let us walk in the light of the Lord."Ephesians 5:8"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

I challenge you to be the light in the dark world around you this week. Enjoy, and let that “little light shine.” Blessings,

Edited to add the following comment: Please be sure to read the comments that have been left so far for Week 40. In particular, I would love for you to read the anonymous comment signed by Connie and the comment by Barbara Graves. I think both of these comments will touch many of you. I know they have touched me! I praise God that He gives me a glimpse into how He uses this challenge to His glory. I never know who is reading but God does. He uses this for His purpose, and I praise Him for that! Connie and Barbara, thank you for your words. They have blessed me, and I pray they bless the others reading them too. Hugs and prayers!

Thank you so very much for those perfect and pure words from God. That was exactly what I needed at this very moment, I live in an area in the city that is so filled with crime that gunshots drug deals and hookers are nothing out of the ordinary and I have felt that the only safe place is in my home and the light isstaying inside protected by my curtains. but it is time to throw open those curtains and to declare to the area that God's light will prevail and that I need to prayer walk and claim this area back for God!!!!! Thank you for that kick in the butt... I needed it.. to think it came from a sister in Christ hundreds of miles away that I have never met until now. Bless you and continue doing what you are doing....Conniescrappingirishimirish@shaw.ca

Patter, I can't believe this GOD is so awesome... I've been moving some note that I had taking from a sermon in NYC In july the 6th to be sure... And what is the topic of that sermin... Let you Light Shine! The pastor Jessi Williams goes to say what kind of light are you ..... sound formillair... He related it to Cars --- 1- maplight - reading in side no help outside the car, some folk light up in the inside of the church but nothing outside the church... 2 - next Blinkers --- blinking inside never stays on long - blinking folk are undependable - praising GOD one minute and raising hell the next and 3rd - a Tail light - theses people brighten up the rear .. behind work only Lack of FAITH - 4th HEADLIGHTS - We should all be this light - HEADLIGHTS step up and stand up and step out on FAITh. These people let there light shine... Headlights step out on FAITH! I love what you found I'll write that down to.. I just want to say thanks for all your work, I'm really enjoying this challenhe, it bring me closer to GOD and my Bible verses....Thanks Patter have a blessed week...

I love love LOVE seeing how God leads you to what word you will use for the Scripture Challenges! Amazing! Thank you SOOO much for being such an inspiration. ((HUGS)).~Chelseahttp://hapemome.blogspot.com

I just discovered this blog. I hate that I found it on week 40 instead of week 1. I'm hoping you plan to start over with week one in '09. Either way I'm picking up here with Week 40. I'm so excited to really dig into the light - in all ways possible. I've already been thinking on and praying on it. Thank you so much for challenge. I too feel like I could use this right now in my life. My relationship with God right now is very weak and I can't seem to get back in His word and on close terms with him. I look forward to using your challenge to help me draw closer to my Lord. Thank you.

What a wonderful word... We are studying creation week with the boys for homeschool and light was a favorite. I love the Psalm "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a LIGHT unto my path....." As I begin to move my cards to their new home (a recycled rolodex spindle) I am excited to add this one. You are a light guiding many women's path on our journey to know God better. Thank you!